Chapter 127
'That can't be right...'
Baek In-hwa's telepathic message came as a surprise to So-ah.
"I want to see the Ten-Second Invincible Arts unfolded with the power of the Profound Realm!"
Depending on how one heard it, it could be interpreted in various ways.
But fortunately.
[Hoho! Why? Does Young Hero Jin want to have a match with this old man?]
[Phew! You say such terrible things, Elder! No matter how confident I am, I pick my opponents. If I fought with you, I wouldn't even be able to find my bones.]
[Your humility is excessive.]
[That's what I wanted to say. Keke.]
So-ah laughed, but on the other hand, he was amazed by Baek In-hwa's slyness.
The martial arts of Baek In-hwa that So-ah had seen were by no means inferior to his own.
In other words, just looking at the aspect of pure martial arts, Baek In-hwa could rise to the ranks of the top masters in the current martial world.
Moreover, considering his mysterious abilities and wisdom, he felt that Baek In-hwa might truly be the greatest prodigy of his time.
'In a one-on-one duel, how many people could handle Elder Baek? Ugh... he's like a sly old snake.'
But So-ah gladly accepted Baek In-hwa's request.
He also had a desire to confirm the measure of his achievement.
[Alright. I'll visit your annex with Brother Woo-chi later.]
[Good!]
***
Around the hour of the Monkey (3-5 PM).
As promised, So-ah visited Baek In-hwa's annex with Jeon Woo-chi.
"Elder. Brother Woo-chi. Let's go."
"Where...?"
"Where to?"
"Manhwa Peak!"
The place So-ah chose to demonstrate his martial arts was Manhwa Peak.
It was a secluded place, and he intended to warm up his body with the Swift Realm Step first.
So-ah's body kicked off the ground and flew into the sky.
'His internal energy output has truly changed!'
Baek In-hwa couldn't help but admire the improved Swift Realm Step.
But his surprise soon amplified.
As soon as he reached the summit of Manhwa Peak, So-ah turned towards the dense bamboo forest.
"Ho-op... hop!"
It was because he had unleashed a world-shaking single punch.
'...!'
So-ah's fist slowly swam through the air.
Therefore, at a glance, it might have seemed unremarkable.
But in Baek In-hwa's eyes, it was the first time he had felt such a perfect fist technique, and that single punch contained the mystery of flawlessness and transcendence.
From the fist that was shot out as fluidly as a majestically flowing river, a wind point arose.
The wind point, as if swallowing the scattered power of nature in the atmosphere, gradually increased its wind power, and soon it rotated in a spiral, eventually generating a huge tornado.
"Ah...!"
"Wow!"
Baek In-hwa and Jeon Woo-chi's eyes widened, and they burst out in admiration.
And...
The lightning of the Heaven-Shattering Consecutive Cannon flickered in the whirlwind.
In an instant, the harmony of wind and lightning pulverized hundreds of bamboo trees, and the bamboo forest was destroyed as if it had been hit by a landslide.
"To go through three changes, from a wind point and wind power to lightning, with a simple single punch, not a fist aura... Hoho... hohoho!"
Baek In-hwa muttered like a man who had lost his mind and then stared at So-ah.
His eyes were a tangled mess of complex and subtle emotions.
"Elder..."
So-ah was just as bewildered.
He had measured his strength once in the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, but the 'texture' was different then and now.
'The power of the spiritual pill condensed in the abyss is slowly being embodied. I can expect an amplification of my internal energy for the next year, can't I?'
So-ah interpreted his clearly improved martial prowess in just one month in that way.
"Congratulations. In all of history, those who have achieved such an accomplishment at Young Hero Jin's age can be counted on one hand. Even your master, the Great Hero Moyong, would have mastered such a fist technique only when he was approaching forty. Now, the title of one of the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path is no longer an empty one."
Baek In-hwa said in a serious voice, as if he was genuinely impressed.
"Ah... Elder..."
That praise came as a sweet carrot to So-ah.
Because after Moyong Cheon and the Heavenly Demon, in So-ah's heart, Baek In-hwa was the strongest man.
In that moment, a forgotten memory flashed through So-ah's mind.
"Ah! Elder."
"Speak, Young Hero Jin."
"You remember saying you would teach me the Book of Changes, right?"
"Ah..."
"The situation is unstable, but if you could teach me whenever you have time, I'd like to learn it for fun. Would that be possible? Hahat."
"I was thinking of doing so, but I can't. It seems better for Young Hero Jin to focus on his martial arts. The study of the Book of Changes is not something that can be learned like any other subject. It requires enduring long training, so it is obvious that it will consume a lot of mental energy."
It was absurd.
Baek In-hwa, who boasted a brilliant character to the point where he sometimes seemed like an immortal, was going back on his word?
But there was a reason for his decision.
When he promised to teach the Book of Changes, the martial world was at peace.
But a disaster had occurred in the Martial Alliance, and So-ah had also achieved the divine realm of the Profound Realm.
In the current situation, teaching the Book of Changes would likely become a leisurely immortal's game.
Moreover, the Book of Changes, in a broad sense, meant mastering the secrets of heaven.
If he wasn't going to teach it, he wasn't going to teach it, but it was by no means something to be taught as a hobby.
"Ah... Elder..."
A look of disappointment clearly appeared on So-ah's face.
However.
'Why didn't I think of that?'
There was no such thing as giving up in So-ah's dictionary.
If he couldn't learn the Book of Changes?
He just had to get something better.
"Then Elder! Let's do this, shall we?"
"What do you mean?"
"Give me one too!"
"...What?"
"For example, a magical tool that creates illusions by containing one's will, like the Heavenly Will Brush? Or a flying carpet? If not that, then a rejuvenation pill that can help increase my magical power?"
"Hoho..."
So-ah, feeling envious of Jeon Woo-chi's demonic tools, had come up with the idea that he could get one for himself.
"Young Hero Jin is truly a practical person. Hohohot."
In that moment, Jeon Woo-chi truly felt the meaning of the word 'absurd'.
It was absurd that So-ah, who seemed to have no conscience, was indulging in excessive greed, but it was just as absurd that his master was beautifully interpreting such behavior as 'practical'.
However.
"Fine. I don't have a suitable demonic tool right now, so how about we go to Goryeo together when the martial world is at peace in the future?"
"Goryeo?!"
"That's right. If you visit the Udo-bang, I will gift you a suitable magical tool."
"Ah... you don't have to go that far. But if you're giving it to me, I won't refuse!"
So-ah suddenly performed a cupped fist salute.
Jeon Woo-chi clicked his tongue and shook his head, and Baek In-hwa, as if he was pleased even by that sight, smiled and stroked his beard.
Just then.
"Ah! And Elder."
"Kehkeh! What is it this time?"
"I heard that Baekdu Mountain is covered with Goryeo ginseng. Is that true?"
"It's not common, but there's more than in the Central Plains. Of course, its efficacy is also far superior."
"Hehe. Thank you."
"...?"
A question appeared in Baek In-hwa's eyes.
But for some reason, Jeon Woo-chi seemed to know what was on So-ah's mind.
'That brat... on his trip to Goryeo, he's planning to get a magical tool as a gift and also dig up a bunch of ginseng to sell in the Central Plains... he's not a martial artist, he's a merchant who would have been a great success. Hah...'
Jeon Woo-chi was amazed day by day by So-ah's thorough cost-effectiveness spirit.
***
Martial Alliance Headquarters, Alliance Leader's Office—
A political meeting was held under the auspices of Abbess Hongryeon.
Although they had held frequent meetings recently, since they had driven out the poison and recovered their internal energy, today's meeting had a different meaning than usual.
'It's time to make progress.'
Also, it was time to seriously discuss the disposal of the White Lotus Cult, a first-class public enemy that had tried to swallow the martial world, so the attitude of the Orthodox Path members attending the meeting was more encouraged than ever.
"I have taken initial measures by dispatching cadres to each branch to defend against the White Lotus Cult and establish a smooth communication network. However, we must now not only resolve the situation but also devise a strategy to root out the White Lotus Cult from its source."
Abbess Hongryeon said.
Her tone, having regained her internal energy, was filled with dignity and confidence.
Just then.
"The problem is that we have not been able to grasp the location and true strength of the White Lotus Cult's headquarters. If we want to annihilate the enemy, gathering information is also important. We need to analyze the situation."
Strategist Zhuge Hyuk stepped forward and expressed his opinion.
It seemed that it would take a long time to reach a consensus.
"My thoughts are different. The White Lotus Cult is already proselytizing, are they not? Then, we just need to follow their tail and wipe them out. Although No Yeong-myeong is a master of a rare generation and a sorcerer skilled in abilities, the Martial Alliance is a united organization of the Orthodox Path, the mainstream of the martial world. A mere heretical religion can be easily wiped out in a year!"
The one who spoke was Ja-ro, the Five Elements Sword Master of the Diancang Sect, who was famous for his Sun-Shooting Swordplay.
His single word became the fuse in the hall.
They were already furious from being hit by the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder, and hearing Ja-ro's words made them even more excited.
"That's right! Why should we be afraid, analyze the situation, and drag our feet? Our Qingcheng Sect is not afraid. We will search the entire Sichuan region like we're looking for a needle in a haystack, follow the tail of the White Lotus Cult, and kill them as we find them!"
"Alliance Leader! The words of the Five Elements Sword Master and Great Hero Jong are correct! Since they have been designated as a public enemy, shouldn't we kill them without exception? Let's go to an all-out war right now. Our Kongtong Sect is prepared to throw away our lives like straw!"
As the spark was lit, the fighting spirit of the people flared up like an active volcano.
Abbess Hongryeon, true to her nature of not showing mercy to wicked people, also expressed her agreement.
"I also think the same as all of you."
However, Strategist Zhuge Hyuk's thoughts were different.
"Alliance Leader! And all you heroes. I also feel the same way. However, the White Lotus Cult has an immeasurable strength. We must not retreat, but we must fight a smart battle."
At his words, this time, one of the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path and the sect leader of the Huashan Sect, Sword Saint Ye Jong-do, asked in a cold voice.
"For example? Strategist. You must present an alternative for me to be convinced. I, too, want to slaughter those bastards right now."
At that.
"For example, which forces have divided the martial world?"
Zhuge Hyuk asked Ye Jong-do.
Ye Jong-do pondered for a moment and then, with wide eyes, asked back.
"By any chance... are you, Strategist?"
"That's right. The martial world does not belong solely to the Orthodox Path. There are numerous Unorthodox Paths, as well as a considerable number of groups belonging to the Outer Martial World and the unaffiliated. However, there is only one force that can divide the world and be compared to the entire Orthodox Path."
In that moment.
"Heavenly Demon Divine Cult..."
"Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!"
"Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?!"
The people shouted in unison.
"Then, are you suggesting, Strategist, that we pit the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult against the White Lotus Cult?"
"No. The current cult leader, Wi-ji Gang, is a strategist. He will never step forward. On the contrary, there is a high probability that he will watch the war between the Martial Alliance and the White Lotus Cult with his hands folded."
"He intends to reap the benefits of their conflict."
"That's right. But for them too, the White Lotus Cult will be a thorn in their side. Therefore, as the best plan, I am thinking of a temporary cooperation with them."
"Ah!"
"Aha."
"Hoho! A good strategy!"
At Zhuge Hyuk's words, some of the people nodded with expressions that said it made sense.
"But, Strategist. Will the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult be willing to join forces with us? Although it has been a long time since we have maintained an implicit peace with the Demonic Cult, are they not demonic cult bastards who are different from the very foundation?"
"That is the problem. Whether we can draw out a temporary cooperation with our alliance's diplomatic power or not will be the compass that determines the damage to the Orthodox Path."
The people muttered to themselves.
At a glance, it was a reasonable plan, but it was also a topic with much room for pros and cons.
In that moment.
"Hmm... Seniors. As for me, I will do my part as a member of the alliance according to the unified opinion."
So-ah suddenly stood up from his seat and opened his mouth.
"If it is decided to minimize the actual damage through an agreement with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"..."
"..."
"I will try to draw out that agreement."
At that, a barrage of questions poured down on So-ah.
"How can Young Hero Jin do that?"
"Young Hero Jin. This is not something to be taken lightly. Wouldn't it be too much even for you?"
But So-ah just curled the corners of his lips.
"Hahat. Well, you see... actually, the vice-leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and I have a rather special relationship. You could say he's like a close older brother?"
'Young Hero Jin's...'
'Connections...'
'Is this for real?!’